Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Monday - June 08, 2015
From: Sugar Land, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening, Shrubs
Title: Fence Shrub for Sugarland, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Hello I live in Sugar Land TX, I am looking for a fast growing shrub to plant along my six foot wood fence for a privacy screen. There is not a lot of room for them to grow in width but there is plenty of sun. Can you recommend something please? I would like something similar to Thuja but I read it doesn’t do well this far south. I already have considered Ligustrum, wax myrtle and chaste tree. Is there anything else? Is there a bamboo variety that is truly non-running/non-invasive?ANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants can make suggestions. You have a number of decent choices, but none of those you mentioned will work well where you live. Both native varieties of Thuja don’t thrive nearly as south as you are and we don’t recommend bamboos as they are non-native and generally invasive.
A couple other similar questions have been received from the general Houston area. These might give some additional insight as the answers vary a bit from what I describe below.
Flowering Shrub for Houston, TX
Shrubs for fenceline in Houston
As you can see, the method used by Mr Smarty Plants is to select from native species that thrive in your area and also have the characteristics you request. When I went to answer your question directly, I used the Collection for Gulf Marshes and Prairies. I then narrowed the selection to shrubs 4 to 6 feet high and did some reading to see if there was more useful information in the record. Of the 17 that result from the selection, these three seemed interesting choice to me, consider these - and, of course, you can review the larger list yourself by following the same procedure.
Hibiscus laevis (Halberdleaf rosemallow) Grows 4-6 feet - - showy blooms
Malpighia glabra (Acerola) 4-6 feet, illustrations of fence type applications
Sabal minor (Dwarf palmetto) 5-10 feet tall - - for a palm type appearance
From the Image Gallery
More Shrubs Questions
Selecting a tree for a backyard in San Antonio, TX
May 11, 2013 - Hello Mr. Smarty Plants,
I recently moved into a home in West San Antonio right outside Loop 1604..my treeless backyard is fairly small at about 55 ft long and 15 ft wide. I am torn because I can't ...
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Narrow, evergreen shrub for privacy
December 28, 2008 - I live in San Antonio and my backyard is all driveway except for a 2-3' space in front of a 6 ft chain fence. I'd like to find an evergreen narrow shrub for privacy. Would Nandina be a good choice?...
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Protection of American beautyberry in Pennsylvania
July 30, 2007 - I have had a beauty berry 2 years now. I trim it back in early spring and it returns beautifully. ...but no flowers this year and it's almost August. Last year, very few berries. Can you help? I...
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Death of lantana in Bryan TX
March 28, 2013 - I would like to know what killed several new gold lantana in a single bed that died over the winter. They looked quite healthy last fall. I have several other new gold lantana that survived the wint...
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Edible forest garden for northern Minnesota
March 07, 2014 - I am planning an edible forest garden for northern Minnesota. Can you suggest a list of plants that are native to this area. We are in zone 3a or 3b. Thank you!
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